Watch bank liner

ABSTRACT

Apparatus applicable to the wrist of a person and having means for retaining a wrist watch and band or bracelet and for maintaining the same out of contact with the skin of the wrist while permitting easy access and readability of the watch.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Charles W. Tracy Tallahassee, Fla. [2]] Appl. No. 809,346 [22] Filed Mar. 21, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [73] Assignee International Enterprises, Inc.

Tallahassee, Fla.

[54] WATCl-l BAND LINER 4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

52 0.8. CI 224 4 F, 224/4 D [51] Int. Cl A45c 11/10 [50] Field of Search 224/4. 1 4.4-4.6, 4.9, 4.1 1; 58/105 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,808,259 6/1931 Schemmel 22414.4 UX

2,114,466 4/1938 Fletcher 224/4.6 X 2,367,091 1/1945 Bloth 58/105 2,649,230 8/1953 Thompson... 224/4,6 2,745,580 5/1956 Ward 224/4.6 2,895,658 7/l959 Dzus 224/4.ll 2,998,695 9/1961 Cornett 224/4.6 X

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-F rank E. Werner Attorneys-A. Yates Dowell and A. Yates Dowel], Jr.

ABSTRACT: Apparatus applicable to the wrist of a person and having means for retaining a wrist watch and band or bracelet and for maintaining the same out of contact with the skin of the wrist while permitting easy access and readability of the watch.

wx'rcn BAND LINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to Wristwatches, bands, bracelets and other devices which are applied in direct contact with the skin of a person and relates particularly to apparatus utilized for maintaining the wristwatch or bracelet out of contact with the skin, as well as apparatus which will enhance the appearance of the wristwatch or bracelet.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past when Wristwatches came into popular use, they were normally attached by a band of leather or other material and were connected to the arm of the user by a buckle or the like. The straps of the wristwatch were difficult to apply and remove and lacked sufficient adjustability to be comfortable for all persons. Eventually expansion bands made their appearance and these proved to be more satisfactory than the straps since it was easier to apply and remove the watch from the wrist of the user and they were infinitely adjustable to accommodate wrists of varying sizes. The expansion band continued to improve in both its function and appearance until the band had a definite esthetic value. These prior art structures have not been entirely satisfactory since normally once the band was applied to the watch the appearance remained fixed. Also the prior an expansion bands normally have been made of metal which in some cases has reacted with the oils of the skin of the user and has caused irritation of the skin and some of the prior art expansion bands have had a tendency to pinch the skin of the user or otherwise make the user uncomfortable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a flexible or semirigid watchband liner constructed of natural or man-made materials in a variety of colors and adapted to be applied to the wrist of the user before the watch and watchband are slipped over the hand onto the wrist. The liner preferably includes a pair of spaced ridges between which the watchband is received and which will prevent slippage of the watch and band.

It is an object of the invention to provide a liner for a watch and watchband which can be applied easily to the wrist of the user and which will prevent direct contact between the skin and the watch and band.

Another object of the invention is to provide a watchband liner which can be made in multiple colors and configurations to increase the esthetic value of the watch and band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating one application of the invention in use.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective of the liner per se.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the liner in flattened position.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4 of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an attachment for the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the structure of FIG. 7. 7 FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of another modified form of the invention.

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With continued reference to the drawing, a wristwatch 10 is provided with a case 11 which is connected to a watchband 12 in any desired manner, as for instance by a pair of lugs 13 extending outwardly from opposite sides of the case 11 and adapted to receive a pin (not shown) which passes through the ends of the watchband 12. The watch and the watchband are of conventional construction and form no part of the inventive concept. It is noted that although a watchband of the expan- LII sion type is illustrated, any type of device for mounting the watch onto the wrist of the user could be used.

The present invention is a liner 15 which can be made of flexible or semirigid material such as various plastics, nylon, Teflon, leather, cloth and the like, and such liner may be either in a flattened condition, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, or may be formed to a predetermined shape, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Normally the semirigid material is formed into a predetermined shape, while the flexible material remains in flattened condition, although it is contemplated that the flexible material could have a semirigid material such as wire embedded therein to retain a predetermined shape.

The liner I5 is formed with a relatively thin base portion 16, generally flat in cross section and having a pair of spaced upright flanges or ribs 17 extending substantially the full length of the base portion and defining retainers which engage the sides of the watchband 12 to maintain such bind on the base portion 16. The base portion 16 and ribs 17 may be extruded or formed in any desired lengths and, when applied, may be cut to provide opposite ends 18 and 19 spaced from each other. The space between the ends 18 and 19 should be large enough to accommodate the case 1 1.

In the modification illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the liner I5 is wrapped around the wrist of the wearer after which the watch and watchband are applied so that the watchband is confined between the ribs 17 and the watch is disposed in the space between the ends of the liner so that the case II does not engage such ribs.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a liner 20 is provided with a wrist encircling base portion 21 with an enlarged flattened portion 22 at one end. The wrist encircling portion 21 has spaced upstanding flanges or ribs 23 which function as stops in the same manner as the ribs 17, while the flattened end portion 22 is disposed in the area between the ends of the wrist encircling portion when in position on the wrist and in a position to underlie the watch case 11 and prevent contact between the case and the skin of the wearer. The liner 20 may be formed in various lengths to fit different size wrists, or may be formed in a single length and a portion removed from the opposite end 24.

- With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, an attachment 25 is provided for use with the modification shown in FIGS. 1-4 and such attachment includes an enlarged flattened central portion 26 having a pair of opposed retainer portions 27 extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof. The retainer portions 27 are of a width slightly less than the distance between the ribs 17 and are adapted to be received therein, while the central portion 26 is disposed within the area between the ends 18 and 19 of the liner 15. The central portion 26 prevents contact between the watch case 11 and the skin of the wearer and the watchband 12 keeps the retainer portions 27 between the ribs 17.

With reference to FIG. 9, a liner 30 is provided which preferably is constructed of relatively soft flexible material such as leather or the like. The liner 30 includes a base portion 31 and a pair of spaced generally parallel ribs 32 which are formed by wrapping the material around a flexible cord or semirigid wire 33 and by securing the same thereto by stitching 34. If desired the edges of the material may be lapped under the base portion 31 and may be fastened thereto by adhesive or other means.

If desired the base portion 16, 21 or 31 may extend outwardly of the associated ribs, as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 5, to provide various esthetic effects and such outwardly extending portions may be decorated or may remain plain. Also the liners may be made in various colors to coordinate or contrast with the apparel of the wearer.

It is noted that the liners may be of solid construction as illustrated, or may have perforations through the base portio to permit air to reach the skin under the liner. 1

In the operation of the device, a liner of a desired color an configuration is applied to the wrist of the wearer after which a watch and watchband are placed on the liner with the watch located in any desired position on either the inner or the outer portion of the wrist. The watchband is in engagement with the base portion of the liner and is disposed between the upstanding ribs so that the watch and band cannot slide off of the liner and the liner cannot slide from under the watch and band. By changing the liner for a liner of a different color or a different configuration, the user can alter the esthetic appearance of the watch. As an example, a person may use a relatively narrow plain liner of a subdued color during the day, and may change to a relatively wide liner which could be inset with diamonds, rhinestones or the like for evening wear.

lclaim:

1. An independent, replaceable watchband liner for mounting on the wrist of a user and adapted to receive and detachably retain a wristwatch, said liner comprising a flexible base portion of a length to substantially encircle the wrist of a user, and at least one pair of spaced upstanding ribs extending along substantially the full length of said base portion, the band of the watch being mounted on said base portion and maintained between said ribs, whereby said liner is placed on the wrist of the user and a wristwatch is removably mounted on said liner.

2. The structure of claim 1 including an enlarged flattened end portion integrally formed at one end of said base portion and adapted to underlie the case of the wristwatch.

3. The structure of claim 1 including an attachment adapted to extend between the opposite ends of said base portion when the base portion has been applied to the wrist of the user, said attachment including an enlarged flattened central portion, a pair of opposed retainer means extending outwardly from opposite sides of said central portion and adapted to be disposed between said spaced ribs.

4. An independent replaceable liner forum with a wristwatch and band to maintain the watch and band out of engagement with the skin of the user, said liner comprising an elongated flexible base of a length to substantially encircle the wrist of the user, an upstanding rib located along the opposite edges of said base and extending substantially the full length thereof, said ribs being generally parallel with each other, the opposite ends of said ribs being spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the watch when the liner is on the wrist of the user, whereby said liner is placed on the wrist of the user and a wristwatch is placed on said base portion with the band of the watch located between said ribs. 

1. An independent, replaceable watchband liner for mounting on the wrist of a user and adapted to receive and detachably retain a wristwatch, said liner comprising a flexible base portion of a length to substantially encircle the wrist of a user, and at least one pair of spaced upstanding ribs extending along substantially the full length of said base portion, the band of the watch being mounted on said base portion and maintained between said ribs, whereby said liner is placed on the wrist of the user and a wristwatch is removably mounted on said liner.
 2. The structure of claim 1 including an enlarged flattened end portion integrally formed at one end of said base portion and adapted to underlie the case of the wristwatch.
 3. The structure of claim 1 including an attachment adapted to extend between the opposite ends of said base portion when the base portion has been applied to the wrist of the user, said attachment including an enlarged flattened central portion, a pair of opposed retainer means extending outwardly from opposite sides of said central portion and adapted to be disposed between said spaced ribs.
 4. An independent replaceable liner for use with a wristwatch and band to maintain the watch and band out of engagement with the skin of the user, said liner comprising an elongated flexible base of a length to substantially encircle the wrist of the user, an upstanding rib located along the opposite edges of said base and extending substantially the full length thereof, said ribs being generally parallel with each other, the opposite ends of said ribs being spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the watch when the liner is on the wrist of the user, whereby said liner is placed on the wrist of the user and a wristwatch is placed on said base portion with the band of the watch located between said ribs. 